{"id":50,"date":"2019-10-02T04:26:01","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T04:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitcommunities.com\/jamaica\/?page_id=50"},"modified":"2024-02-04T01:44:46","modified_gmt":"2024-02-04T01:44:46","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/visitcommunities.com\/jamaica\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN)<\/strong>\u00a0is internationally recognized for its work over three decades, much of it on a voluntary basis, in pioneering community tourism. It has been the driving force behind the concept of community tourism in Jamaica, the Caribbean and internationally
\nHow did Countrystyle Community Tourism Originate?<\/strong>
\nThe late Desmond Henry, a former Director of Tourism for Jamaica, and Diana McIntyre-Pike, daughter of pioneering Negril hotelier Ceceline McIntyre, worked together to create \u201cnew tourism,\u201d a bottom-up tourism product. In 1978, they coined the name \u201cCommunity Tourism\u201d for their approach which, by stimulating cooperation and a sense of pride and value, encouraged communities to make use of local resources, become trained in new hospitality skills and generate local income.
\nIn 1994, Diana McIntyre-Pike was one of 200 speakers invited by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) to present to representatives of 70 countries attending its second global conference in Montreal. Inspired by the success of Countrystyle Community Tourism and its base, the Astra Country Inn in Mandeville, Jamaica, the IIPT branded Jamaica the \u201cHome of Community Tourism\u201d and established the IIPT Caribbean Chapter with Diana McIntyre-Pike as its President.
\nThe Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN) was formed to pursue a partnership approach to the development and marketing of Community Tourism throughout the Caribbean region and
\ninternationally, including among private and public sector organizations.
\nHow does CCTN define Community Tourism?<\/strong>
\nCCTN uses the definition developed during the 2003-04 Jamaica Community Tourism Project, initiated by Countrystyle\u2019s Sustainable Communities Foundation, the forerunner of CCTN, and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency:
\n\u201can integrated approach and collaborative tool for the socio-economic empowerment of communities through the assessment, development and marketing of natural and cultural community resources which seeks to add value to the experience of local and foreign visitors and simultaneously improve the quality
\nof communities.\u201d
\nWhat is the Mission of CCTN?<\/strong>
\nTo support the development of community tourism in Jamaica, the Caribbean and internationally, preparing communities to provide and benefit from diverse \u201ccommunity lifestyle experience\u201d vacations and tours offered to local and foreign visitors, and educating all stakeholders of the importance of community tourism to the cause of peace, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
\nOur vision is of rural and urban communities empowered and able to develop on a sustainable basis by:
\n\u2013 exposing and dynamically marketing their natural culture, talents, passion and potential to the world;
\n\u2013 stimulating local entrepreneurship, management skills and improvement opportunities; and
\n\u2013 managing themselves as unique Caribbean destination or products.
\nHow does CCTN Work?<\/strong>
\nHeadquartered in Mandeville, Jamaica, CCTN has registered branches, members and partners throughout the Caribbean and in the USA, Canada, Europe and South Africa. It also constitutes the
\nCaribbean Chapter of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) and coordinates the IIPT International Community Tourism Network in over 70 countries.<\/p>\n

CCTN<\/strong>\u00a0has established a set of specialized but mutually supportive non-profit and for-profit subsidiary organizations to aid communities wishing to engage in community tourism.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The\u00a0Villages As Businesses (VAB)<\/strong>Programme in Jamaica and other countries in the Caribbean and elsewhere advances and expands the impact of Community Tourism in its member communities and regions. VAB members receive an initial community-wide sensitization to the opportunities offered by community tourism. During the ensuing five-day intensive Community Tourism Hospitality and Entrepreneurship course, participants are helped to identify natural, heritage, cultural and human resources of potential interest to visitors and to design and test varied community experience tours.<\/li>\n
  2. Graduates of the five-day course become eligible for more specialized BTEC-certified training in entrepreneurship, hospitality, community tourism, community host-guiding, and a range of related skills through CCTN\u2019s\u00a0Academy for Community Tourism (ACT).<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. CCTN\/VAB assists member communities with tour design and marketing materials, operates tours with local participation<\/li>\n
  4. CCTN\u2019s\u00a0Countrystyle Homestay<\/strong>is licenced to market homestays in the Caribbean as a member of Homestay Technologies Ltd. (homestay.com).<\/li>\n
  5. CCTN provides training and marketing support for crafts people as there is a demand for locally made village craft throughout the Caribbean including from cruise ships.<\/li>\n
  6. CCTN is establishing the\u00a0Community Tourism Fund (COMFUND) <\/strong>,with the support and leadership of the Caribbean diaspora to be financed by tour contributions and by grants and donations, as a facility for offering low-cost loans and grants to
    \nindividuals and organizations engaging in projects supporting sustainable community development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How do Communities Benefit from CCTN\/VAB Membership?<\/strong>
    \nOrange Bay, Hanover,<\/strong>\u00a0on Jamaica\u2019s west coast, is an example of how a community benefits from its share of tour revenues, which multiply through the community, the personal growth of those involved in guiding the tours and the support and stimulus to investment received from visitors who become engaged
    \nin local life, institutions and businesses.
    \nThrough this experience, residents gain skills and pride and learn to manage their community or village as a business. They understand the importance of responsible collaboration and seize opportunities to start or expand enterprises that may or may not be directly related to tourism. The tangible benefits of new income sources generate community pride and provide an incentive for caring for the environment and cultural heritage, for participating in governance and for acquiring education and training more effectively than many more abstract interventions.
    \nRena Lawrence of Beeston Spring, Westmoreland is an example of how an individual\u2019s life can be changed through community tourism. She reports an approximate 100 per cent increase in her earnings after tours began in the community. A former cosmetologist, Lawrence, has no regrets in closing her hair
    \nshop and opening up her home and bar to visitors. \u201c[The project] really works. I want to expand so I can accept more visitors.\u201d She says Beeston Spring has experienced a dramatic change in the well-being and attitudes of residents due to the programme\u00a0(http:\/\/www.jamaicaobserver.com\/business\/Community-<\/em>
    \ntourism-takes-off_11428473) 2012\/05\/09).<\/em><\/p>\n

    What are CCTN\u2019s Next Objectives?<\/strong>
    \nCCTN continues to scale up its operations and impact in Jamaica, the Caribbean region and elsewhere through the further development of the Villages as Businesses programme
    \n\u2013 its training, tour design, marketing and other consulting services,
    \n\u2013 the establishment of locally-managed Community Tourism Centres and Museums, and<\/p>\n

    \u2013 support for partner communities, tour companies and other businesses.<\/p>\n

    CCTN Management Team:<\/strong>\u00a0Diana McIntyre-Pike OD \u2013 President, CCTN and VAB
    \nAlison Kenning Massa \u2013 Vice President, Policy and Administration
    \nValerie Dixon \u2013 Vice-President and Co-ordinator, Culture, Heritage and Events
    \nMaxine Donovan \u2013 Vice-President and Co-ordinator, Creative Industries
    \nBert Jackson \u2013 Vice-President Community Affairs<\/p>\n

    Barrington Burke-Green \u2013 Vice-President, Business Development\/Investments<\/p>\n

    Fiona Wright \u2013 Vice-President, Marketing<\/p>\n

    Donovan Longmore \u2013 Vice-President, Public Relations and Media affairs<\/p>\n

    Britanie Hanson- Community Tourism Youth Director<\/p>\n

    Gillian Rowlands, Vice-President, Careers Development and IIPT
    \nCharles Lindo, Caribbean Region Director of Community Tourism
    \nRudi Page, Global Diaspora Director
    \nPhilip Bedward, Director of Christian Tourism
    \nPaul Baveghems \u2013 Financial Management
    \nJunior Blake \u2013 Community Representative
    \nHenzel Clarke \u2013 \u00a0CCTN President,\u2013 Denmark\/Europe<\/p>\n

    William Lawrence \u2013 Co-ordinator, Eastern Caribbean Community Experience
    \nRosey Palmer \u2013 Coordinator, CCTN Western Jamaica<\/p>\n

    Jem Winston \u2013 Co-ordinator, E. Caribbean Homestay<\/p>\n

    CCTN Patrons:<\/strong>
    \nLouis D\u2019Amore, Founder\/President, International Institute for Peace through Tourism
    \nJohn O.\u00a0 Minott, Chairman, Jamaica Standard Products Mandeville Manchester Jamaica
    \nAmbassador Aloun Assamba
    \nSpanish Court Hotel, Kingston
    \nMandeville Hotel, Mandeville
    \nMichael Esposito International Patron
    \nGoblin Hill Villas at San San, Port Antonio<\/p>\n

    CCTN Advisory Team:<\/strong>
    \nLouis D\u2019Amore \u2013 International Institute for Peace through Tourism
    \nTheo Chambers \u2013 Web Management\/Marketing;
    \nSharon Parris-Chambers \u2013 Public Relations;
    \nArlene McKenzie \u2013 Tourism Product Development\/Creative Industries
    \nJacqueline daCosta \u2013 Community Development;
    \nCarolyn Hayle \u2013 Community Tourism \/ Hospitality Training;
    \nMelissa Preddie \u2013 Youth Entrepreneurship;
    \nLanisia Rhoden \u2013 Young Women of Purpose and Young Men of Purpose (YWOP\/YMOP)
    \nOrville Smith \u2013 Jamaican Diaspora Network Coordinator;
    \nChristol Wilson \u2013 Marketing;
    \nElizabeth Ross \u2013 Environment;
    \nMichael Esposito \u2013 International Marketing
    \nOther CCTN Consultants\/Trainers:<\/strong>
    \nApec Consultants \u2013 Architects\/Engineers
    \nWinnie Anderson-Brown \u2013 Health & Wellness
    \nDavid Brown \u2013 Sustainable Tourism
    \nNolma Coley-Agard \u2013 Dramatic Arts
    \nArlene McKenzie- Product Development\/Creative Industries
    \nAlvin Dixon \u2013 Construction<\/p>\n

    Elizabeth Terry- Professional Development<\/p>\n

    Professor Ian Boxill UWI Jamaica<\/p>\n

    Horace Donovan \u2013 Art.Graphic Design
    \nLorraine Fung \u2013 Hospitality\/Catering Services
    \nSeymour Heron \u2014 Spiritual Life\/Counselling
    \nShona Heron \u2013 Hospitality\/Business
    \nDavid Logan \u2013 Financial\/Business Development
    \nAlison McIntyre-Lim Sang \u2013 Interior Architecture\/Graphic Design.
    \nDiane Robertson \u2013 Natural Health
    \nDorienne Rowan-Campbell \u2013 Organic Agriculture
    \nHugh Shim \u2013 Hospitality and Tourism
    \nAndrew Skadberg \u2013 Holistic Tourism Development
    \nLola Wright \u2013 Creative Industries
    \nCCTN\u2019s Strategic Partners<\/strong>
    \nTravel and Tourism Partners<\/strong>
    \n\u2013 International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) \u2014 Dr. Louis D\u2019Amore
    \n\u2013 Skal International
    \n\u2013 International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) \u2014 Dr. Geoffrey Lipman
    \n\u2013\u00a0 Sustainable Travel International
    \n\u2013\u00a0 Global Diaspora Engagement for Community Tourism
    \n\u2013 Asterix Tourism \u2014 Roy Page
    \n\u2013\u00a0 Exquisite Jamaica Transfers and Tours
    \n\u2013 Max Tours
    \n\u2013 Kiuki Tours
    \n\u2013\u00a0 TUI Group
    \n\u2013 Caribbean Nexus Tours
    \n\u2013 My Jamaica Travels
    \n\u2013\u00a0 Sandals Foundation
    \n\u2013 Mandeville Hotel
    \n\u2013 Goblin Hill Villas
    \n\u2013 Spanish Court Hotel<\/p>\n

    Training and Academic Partners<\/strong>
    \n\u2013 Etalon Global Solutions (EGS) \u2014 Dr. Carolyn Hayle
    \n\u2013 Hamilton-Knight Associates \u2014 Gillian Rowlands
    \n\u2013 Morris Entrepreneurship Centre, Northern Caribbean University
    \n\u2013 HEART Trust\/N TA
    \nAgricultural and Conservation Partners<\/strong>
    \n\u2013 Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement (JOAM) \u2014 Dorienne Rowan-Campbell
    \n\u2013 Network of Women for Food Security (NOW) \u2014 Valerie Dixon
    \n\u2013 Farm-up Jamaica, Blue Paradise Farms \u2014 Faheemah Luqman<\/p>\n

    Diaspora and International Partners<\/strong><\/p>\n